1ST READING
The Prophet Hosea revolutionizes our understanding of the relationship between God and His people. He tells us that God is a God of love, first and foremost, and that we need to interpret everything He does through the prism of love. We should seek to grow in this love relationship in all that we do.
Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9
1 Thus says the Lord: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; 4 I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer. 8 My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. 9 I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again; For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you.
P S A L M
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R: You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. (R) 4 Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. 6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel! (R)
2nd READING
As we contemplate the mystery of God’s love for us, it is a good idea to sit before an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I have a favorite image by a painter named Venaro, and it depicts the upper half of Jesus’ body outstretched on a cross with a heart aflame within. This is the truth of God’s love for us — it burns constantly like a fire consuming all in its path.
Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
8 Brothers and sisters: To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the principalities and authorities in the heavens. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him. 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with
all the fullness of God.
GOSPEL
Jesus has accomplished the task His Father sent Him to do. He has given His life for us. All that remains now is for God to raise Jesus from the dead. We all know this has been done, too. Why then do we doubt God’s love for us? Surely there is no greater sign of His love than the resurrection of Jesus and offering us a share in it!
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
God first loved us and sent His Son as expiation for our sins.
John 19:31-37
31 Since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, 34 but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. 36 For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: “Not a bone of it will be broken.” 37 And again another passage says: “They will look upon him whom they have pierced.”
BLESSING
LIST
think: This is the truth of God’s love for us — it burns constantly like a fire consuming all in its path.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Kings 4-6
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